What's Working for Conservation
Oak Savanna Restoration
2025 Information
The following information summarizes recommendations for goat grazing with an emphasis on savannas and was developed by the state Restoration Evaluation Program Panel that reviews state funded project.
Goat Guidance for Project Managers
- Establish a phased, sequential approach in site restoration plans that strategically incorporates goats
- Create a sound rotational grazing plan indicating goat breed, age and numbers, operator requirements for paddock size/location, grazing days, rest periods, fencing, as well as quantifiable measures for modifying browse intensity
- Identify potential impacts to non-target species and sensitive sites, erosion etc. and establish thresholds for modifying
- Monitor frequently to guide adaptive management of herd size, timing and frequency
- Create metrics and triggers to guide decision making e.g. % site denuded of vegetation triggers moving off paddock
- Establish clear direction for operators and flexibility in contracts to allow for adaptive management e.g. increase/decrease number of goats based on performance
- Use herds that are effective at managing target species
- Goat herd operators can encourage goats to focus on target species e.g. buckthorn, sumac, by introducing these prior to prior to arriving on site
- Include sheep as needed to target ground level species
- Seeding with early successional native cool-season species may be needed to create competition for invasives and fuel for prescribed fire. Prescribed fire is typically an important follow-up management strategy.